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Letter from the editor

rustration can be remarkably productive.
Something takes too long, requires too many
steps or doesn't work the way we think it
F should, and sooner or later someone says,
"There has to be a better way." Sometimes that someone
goes ahead and builds it. Our lead article introduces
three payments professionals who did just that. James
Shepherd, Dee Karawadra and Josip Povreslo each
encountered persistent problems in their own work—
whether selling to merchants, managing the many mov-
ing parts of an ISO or navigating PCI DSS compliance—
and developed tools to make the job easier. What began
as solutions to their own problems became products
other industry professionals could use as well.

That same drive to simplify complicated processes
can be seen in this issue's New Products. Kurv Agent
is designed to streamline merchant onboarding and
give ISOs and MLSs greater visibility into applications,
portfolios and residuals. CardFlight, meanwhile, added
ACH payments to SwipeSimple, allowing merchants to
offer bank payments alongside cards through invoices
and payment links. These developments exemplify how
innovation doesn't always begin with a sweeping vision
of the future. It often begins with professionals who see
where processes could work better—and decide to do
something about it.

That impulse to examine how things work—and how
they might work better—runs through much of this
issue. Anthony Walton considers the foundations needed
for AI-powered payment testing, while Daniel Wilson
Kemp calls for transparent, reproducible statement
analysis. Shawn Curtis examines payment friction, and
Melih Oztalay explores a buying journey that extends
beyond company websites. Tim Yalich addresses aging
bank technology, Jim Petit the continuing role of cash and
Elie Katz Q4 opportunities for payments professionals
serving independent retailers. Adam Atlas examines
legal considerations for payments companies operating
throughout the Americas, while Jaki Kackert offers a
BFCM playbook for helping merchants prepare for the
holiday season while strengthening engagement.

Our News Briefs cover a wide range of developments,
from FTC enforcement actions involving Nuvei and
Humboldt Merchant Services to changing surcharge
rules, TabaPay's planned acquisition of Transact Bank
and new research on consumer trust in AI-assisted
shopping and payments. Also inside: milestones
spanning awards, settlements, research, partnerships,
acquisitions and appointments; Innovator profiles; our
Resource Guide; and inspiration for helping merchants
prepare for the holiday rush. Questions, suggestions or
news? Keep them coming to greensheet@greensheet.com,
and send press releases to press@greensheet.com. We want
to hear from you.

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